A new Johns Hopkins University study is validating the potential of smart phones in medical care. Since the debut of the iPhone, one of the most-often demonstrated medical uses of the device are radiological applications which allow physicians to view x-rays, CT scans and MRIs wirelessly. However, are these images comparable to the high-end workstations found in the radiologist’s office? Are pictures displayed on such a small screen sufficient for physicians to make accurate diagnoses? According to this current study, it appears radiologists were able to just as accurately diagnose an appendicitis on an iPhone 3G as on their office computers, with one major difference – portability. Fifteen of the 25 study patients were correctly identified as having acute appendicitis on 74 of 75 interpretations. Being able to accurately diagnose a medical emergency, such as an appendicitis, without having to be tied to a workstation may save valuable time, especially in areas where radiologists may not be available immediately. Perhaps it’s just a matter of time until someone writes a program which will allow computers to automatically detect an appendicitis without the radiologist. [via Medical News Today]
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Tags: 3G, appendicitis, ct, iPhone, johns hopkins, MRI, radiologist, radiology, smart phone, x-ray
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:25 am
That’s the kind of research projects I want to do. They sound like fun and so nice and straightforward.
December 1st, 2009 at 4:40 pm
the nipha virus is very serious to me and i live way way far away from malasia and i still aticulate that this deadly virus could kill us in the USA i am very dis tubed by this and am doing vital reserch i no fruit bat’s spread it and that it also is carried in pig’s one day i will gain enough knolge to maybe just maybe find a cure or vacsine! if im lucky enough to!
sighned annomus age 12
December 1st, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I appreciat the way how to treat people by nobbile phone.because I know that it is difficult to treat a patient even by face to face communication.the side effect is that a physician or pharmacist must be accurate when informing the patient about the treatment.iphone is not used in my country ethiopia.But I a have positive attitude towards that instrument.
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 pm
iphones cant cure my morning backache and they may give you cancer in the long run !!!